The Dog Honest Truth of Being a Veterinarian

The life of a veterinarian is fraught with challenges, this can be both a negative and a positive. From hearing the cries of new life as you help in delivering newborn kittens to putting down an animal with a debilitating illness, and everything in between. Being a veterinarian is a hard but rewarding profession. One that takes a combination of work ethic, compassion, education, dedication and a love for animals.

You might be asking yourself, I have all these qualities, can I become a veterinarian? The answer is dependent upon your willingness to get into the veterinary profession. The path won’t be an easy one, but if you truly love animals and want a career as a vet, then here are a few tips to keep in mind before applying to any 4-year university. The Hours Will Be Long:

One thing that may stop aspiring vets is that as a veterinarian, you are on call 24/7. You could get a call at 3:00 in the morning if an animal’s condition has gone downhill fast and they need emergency surgery. Veterinarians as well as veterinary technicians must be prepared to work overtime and weekends when needed. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 68% of U.S households owned a pet in 2018 which equates to 84 million homes. With that number expected to rise in the coming years, the need for more vets will increase as well.

The Pay Isn’t as Much as a Human Equivalent M.D:

Veterinarians make a good living, but not as good as people might think. According to Salaries Wiki, the average yearly salary of a veterinarian in the United States was $72,000-$88,000 in 2018. That is less than half of what a medical doctor treating human patients can potentially make in a year. However, many who become veterinarians don’t get into the profession for the money, but for saving the lives of animals.

You Can Work Almost Anywhere in the World:

There is much variety in what animals you wish to specialize in treating as well as what types of animal facilities you can work or travel to. If you work at animal dental care forest hill md for example, then you primarily work at an animal hospital or dental clinic. But a vet’s work can also be at zoos, laboratories, and farms. Wildlife medicine is a more recent sector in animal treatment where vets work closely with zoologists to treat wild animals and marine species such as sea otters, dolphins and whales. They may also treat animals who have been injured during a natural disaster such as an oil spill.

Is a Vets Life for Me?

All things considered, choosing to become a veterinarian can be an excellent choice if you truly love working with animals. No matter how exhausting and stressful it can be at times, being a veterinarian is a more than just a career path, it’s a way of life. One that you can be proud of.